Star Gladiator Episode 1: Final Crusade (Game)

Star Gladiator Episode 1: Final Crusade

GAME » on July 1996

Capcom's first in-house 3D fighting game is set in a far future inspired by space operas, namely the Star Wars series, as a group of Star Gladiators must defend Earth from the powerful Fourth Empire.

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Overview

Star Gladiator Episode I: Final Crusade is a 3D sci-fi weapon-based fighting game developed and released by Capcom (Company) for arcades (running the PS1-based Sony ZN-1 hardware) on July 1996.

The first 3D fighting game developed in-house by Capcom, Star Gladiator takes place in the far future (year 2348), where humans coexist with various alien civilizations throughout the galaxy and have discovered a new energy source within living beings (known as "Plasma Power").

The story involves Dr. Edward Bilstein, an Earth physicist who discovered Plasma Power and began construction of Earth's Plasma-powered super-weapon before being imprisoned in a prison satellite due to his unethical research. When he develops a powerful cybernetic body in-secret and escapes from his cell, he forms the Fourth Empire and sets his sights on Earth. It's up to a group of bounty hunters, the Star Gladiators, to use the Plasma Power to stop him.

Technical-wise, this game is known for its use of a Guard button (the only known Capcom fighting game to do so), a dedicated chain combo system (the Plasma Combo) with a special finisher command (the Plasma Final), two forms of counter-attacks (Plasma Reverses), and a powerful once-per-round attack (the Plasma Strike).

The game was later ported to the Sony PlayStation in late October of 1996 and later received a sequel, titled Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein, in 1998. While some characters make cameos in other games, only series protagonists Hayato and June are playable (Hayato in Marvel vs. Capcom 2, June in Project X Zone 2 (Game)).

Characters

The initial arcade release included nine playable characters and two unlockable characters (one of which is the final boss and one of which is a hidden opponent). The PS1 version adds a new secret unlockable character, bringing the total to 12.

Star Gladiators

Fourth Empire

Franco Gerelt (Character)
Vector
Rimgal
Zelkin Fiskekrogen
Gore Gajah
Dr. Edward Bilstein (unlockable final boss, has an unplayable "Super" form as the game's secret boss)
Kappah Nosuke (hidden opponent, can be unlocked for use)
Blood (Character) (added in the PS1 version as a secret unlockable character)

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